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Forage DM availability : 2.99- 2.16 mt / ha for 3 and 5 year old palms reducing to 435-628 kg / ha for 10-29 year old palms (Chen et al., 1991) 60-70 forage species in young palms, which are reduced by about 66 % in older palms Forage categories : 56-64 % grasses, 18-23 dicotyledons, 3-19 % legumes and 2-15 % ferns for 3- 10 year old palms, and 50 % grasses, 13 % dicotyledons, 2 % legumes and 35 % ferns ( Wong and Chin, 1988 ) About 72- 93 % of the forages are palatable and of value to ruminants Carrying capacity : 3 steers / ha in 3-4 year old palms to 0.3-0.4 steers /ha with over 7 year old palms, and The under- storey forage cover presents enables breeding animals and use in situ the range of CR and AIBP from oil palm. THE OIL PALM ENVIRONMENT:CONDUCIVE PRODUCTION ATTRIBUTES

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1). Beneficial effects of shade on livestock 2). Draught animal power on land preparation and crop growth 3). Effects of dung and urine on soil fertility and crop growth 4). Use of crop residues and AIBP from trees in situ 5). Use of native vegetation and effects on cost of weed control, crop management and crop growth, and 6). Type of animal production systems (extensive, systems combing arable cropping, and systems integrated with tree cropping). TYPES OF RUMINANT-OIL PALM INTERACTIONS

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Summary from 21 case studies involving cattle :- 1).Increased animal production and income Due to increased productivity and meat offtakes 2). Increased yield of FFB and income By about 30 %, and measures of 0.49 – 3.52 mt / ha / yr. 3). Savings in weeding costs By about 47- 60 %, equivalent to 21 – 62 RM / ha / yr. 4). Internal rate of return (IRR) The IRR of cattle under integration was 19% based on actual field data. 5). Potential further income Integration with goats can potentially further increase income. ECONOMIC IMPACTS

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Integrated ruminant – oil palm systems are potentially very important and are underestimated Ruminants enhance increased animal protein supplies, value addition in the oil palm and sustainable development Wider adoption of the systems is constrained by a lack of policy, high prices for crude palm oil, complacency, and inadequate technology application The economic impacts are considerable and are highlighted in several case studies including C sequestration Demonstrable environmental sustainability is evident, and Overcoming the constraints and building partnerships between various agencies and the private sector constitute the challenges for the immediate future. CONCLUSIONS